simply put, the notion that men and women are equal. feminism does not call for hating men, in fact, it abhors it. it is a call for human equality, regardless of race, age, and especially gender.

"I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a door mat or a prostitute." ~Rebecca West

*Sigh* This is getting out of hand. Feminism is the idea that everyone is equal, plain and simple. Feminists are not 'ugly dykes' and are not 'the epitome of perfection'. Women who hate men are *not* feminists. Jeez, you all need to cool it.

Gloria Steinem was a feminist.
Virginia Woolfe was a feminist.
That chick at the bar who calls all men rapists was not a feminist.

an idea that involves the fair and equal treatment of people, regardless of their gender. A feminist believes that while women are physically different from and think differently about some things than men, this does not make either superior or inferior, it just means that they are different and should not be used as a basis for preferential treatment either way. Supporters of equal treatment for both genders are called feminists, whether or not they themselves are female.
Note: some feminists, often referred to as feminazis, have given feminism a bad name by claiming that men are evil and that oppression lurks everywhere. This is unfortunate, as real feminism is about gender equality.

Feminism means that women are not *better* than men, just different from them, and should not be treated any better or worse than men for it.

Mary shrugged off the stereotype of the man-hating feminist and embraced FEMINISM when she realized that it could potentially help her receive higher pay at work and aid her in countless other areas of her life.

Feminism is the movement of women that attempts to break down the barriers of gender inequality. It is thought to have began in the late 19th century with the womens campaign for the vote. It began to pick up steam in the again in the sixties with the arival of the pill but began to fizzle out in the 90s.
It is now largely regarded (particularly by ignorant skinheaded men) as obselete. "Ya vote, ya work, Wha' ya monin' 'bout ya freaky lesbo" is the general thought among this crowd.
True women can vote but that is hardly the surface of gender inequality. Women CAN work but are also expected to look after the kids and do the housework. Equal? I don't think so. Women are also statistically paid less for doing the same jobs as men and hold relatively few high powered jobs compared to men.
Sure women have made progress but there are still major inequalties in society that need to be solved.
"Why do I care?" I hear those of you who are male say. Well, you have mothers, sisters, wives etc. Wouldnt you be furious if they were disadvantaged because they were black or gay or disabled? Of course you would! So why is it ok for this to happen to your family because they are women?
You do not have to hate men or burn bras or be a lesbian to be a feminist. You just have to believe in equality.
Feminists (including men) kick ass!